“Abstract Head – Dumb Pain” by Alexei Jawlensky
sink into the news
diagnosis prognosis
mere clinical sentences
strings of neat nouns
verbs and adjectives
uttered with clean cut
thoracic dispassion just
let the words flash their
sharp flames through
your brain “acute pain”
“irreversible damage”
and “ten on the scale”
nothing left but the
learning to “live with it”
drawing some shallow
relief from a blunted
dull thudding narcosis
where dreams can be
dreamed into poems
envy felt for unfeeling
afflictions paralysis
coma or merely sweet
onset of hypoesthesia
what bliss is the sound
of perpetual numb
(originally posted January 2014)
Poesy plus Polemics 
Interesting, your poem today . . . I too have been thinking of Pain and wrote about it in this morning’s post on poetscorner . . . Curious that ‘courage’ is a word others use to chart the course of others should adopt as a way of dealing with inevitabilities . . . Thanks for helping me think through dark thought . . .
Blessings . . .
LikeLike
I’m no expert on courage – but I am on pain
LikeLike
As an A and P professor, I was thrilled to see this! great job. I may share with my class.
LikeLike
thank you kindly, Kimberly – I’d be honored it you shared it
LikeLike
A Gothic feel – Superb.
LikeLike
it’s been a gothic experience
LikeLike
A very intriguing poem.. exquisite
LikeLike
much appreciated, Barb
LikeLike
Mmhh, feel discovered uncovered…sigh…is that me you’re speaking of…got to question myself…
LikeLike
poetry reveals the author – and sometimes the reader
LikeLike
Right, I still have to have a better look at myself, Paul. How is life in New Hampshire? I am not so far away, on the Canadian side in East Hereford, 6 km from the border crossing of Beecher Falls…
LikeLike
retired here 10 years ago from New Jersey – best move I ever made
LikeLike
Oh goodness–“live with it”, yes but it’s not like living with chronic weather conditions, is it. I do love the part about dreams can be dreamed into poems–some days it feels like that’s the best I can hope for. Which ain’t bad, except for the pain–physical or other.
LikeLike
I’d surely rather complain about weather
LikeLike
Amen.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Poesy plus Polemics.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My heart goes out to you in your suffering– admire you no end for pouring it into your art. I’d say that the bright side to pain, if such a thing can be said (and I understand if you would say to Hell with that BS) but it can give you opportunity to use it in a positive way, whether pouring it into art, poetry or spirituality. God bless!
LikeLike
blessings returned in kind, dear ellen
LikeLike
Reblogged this on OUR POETRY CORNER.
LikeLike
thank you for sharing my poem with your readers
LikeLike
Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn has been studying mindfulness meditation for over 30 years. Showing an average 50% drop in chronic pain with his classes, versus average 30% drop with opiates. Dunno if the meditation is addictive, but hard to beat. I have read two of his books. One came with a meditation cd. I am quite contrary by nature/nurture. When I was having trouble sleeping I would play the body scan section. He starts by saying this section is to fall awake, not fall asleep. So of course, I would fall into deep and blissfully contrary sleep…….
LikeLike
sounds amazingly effective
LikeLike
oh, his website: http://www.mindfulnesscds.com/, Jon Kabat-Zinn, that is.
LikeLike
thank you for the referral
LikeLike
Cancer described hauntingly!!
LikeLike
appreciate that – but in my case it’s not cancer
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a short but great poetry work. There is difference between pain and suffering, suffering is a choice and pain exists as we live, so what matters is how we deal with them. My post this morning is about using our actual strength to achieve and prosper in life. https://ajibolasunday.wordpress.com/2016/11/15/achieving-true-success-and-prosperity-with-real-strength/
LikeLiked by 1 person
I appreciate your perspective
LikeLiked by 1 person